CH 2

The night after I helped the wolf.

I couldn’t quite sleep so I was looking out the window, right at the glistening full moon. All I could think about was the wolf.

I never would have thought there could be such a beautiful thing to exist.

Drowsiness started to overcome me and I was readying to sleep, when I heard a distant howl.

Thinking that the cows and horses could be in danger, I hurriedly changed my clothes.

Because of my lack of fighting prowess, my job is to just check whether the animals are all in their stables.

When that’s finished I stay cautioned outside for wolves. I saved one at noon but it’s a different story if it attacks the animals.

But the amount of howling seems strangely excessive, coming from all directions.

I suppose it’s fine though, because it’s not like there have been any damages so far and there aren’t any reports on even seeing one.

I hope it passes with nothing happening.

Something like a fight amongst people can be dealt with, but it’s not like I have experience with fighting to the death, and I most certainly don’t want to be eaten.

That’s what I was thinking while staying guard in front of the stables, when I heard a howl close by.

When I turned my focus to the direction of the howl, I saw the wolf from earlier today.

It was together with other wolves, presumably the rest of its pack.

Blended right in with the dark night, only the golden eyes revealed where they were. Guessing from the number of floating yellow lights, I think there’s at least 10.

There’s no way I can win. I don’t have any intention of dying, but I can’t let the animals be eaten either.

Well, what should I do?

“Good evening, it’s a nice moonlit night, isn’t it.”

I heard a voice. A dignified, husky voice, probably talking to me.

“Yeah, the moon really is beautiful today.”

I had to just answer for now. These wolves are probably quite highly ranked monsters.

In general, monsters don’t have the ability to speak the human language.

This is because of two main reasons, being that it requires a long lifespan and a long time spent to learn, and that humans are seen as lesser beings.

Notable long-living races include dragons and demons, but all of them disregard humans as insignificant beings. It’s said that not even an entire human nation is enough to beat them, with exception of only the [Hero].

What would such creatures want from someone like me…

“I came here today to ask you a question.”

“A question? Ask away anything as long as it’s something I can answer.”

I’ll be killed immediately if I say anything that displeases them.

“Oh, aren’t you docile. Well without further ado, why did you help me? Even going as far as using a precious potion.”

Well, how should I answer this…

I don’t think they would believe it if I admitted that it was because the wolf was beautiful, but they would probably kill me if I spouted a random lie too.

“Answer quickly. I don’t have much patience.”

Crap, I need to answer quickly. I guess I’ll just have to take my chances and answer honestly. If I die, I die, it is what it is.

“I saved you because I felt that it would be a waste if you died there.”

“A waste? What exactly did you think was wasteful?”

Man, stop asking while you itch your head with your leg, you’re just rubbing in your dominance over me…

“Your beauty was what made me feel that it would be a waste.”

Hearing my words, its ears twitched, and after doing something that looked like it was sniffing excessively, it burst out in laughter.

“What in the world is that reason! A human saved me because I looked pretty! I’ve lived a long time, but I’ve never been helped for a reason like that until now!”

I’m sorry to be disturbing you while you’re bursting in laughter, but can your friends over there not be threatening me like that? It’s rather terrifying…

“You’re really funny, even out of the small number of people that have helped me in that game, you’re a real special case!”

Wh, what?? That was a game?! There was absolutely no need for me to help you then…

And I forgot to mention but I can’t believe you actually believed a reason like that.

“You know, you’ve caught my interest. What’s your name?”

“Wait wh, uh my name…”

“You don’t need to be so formal.”

‘I’m Ryu, just Ryu.”

Don’t interrupt people while they’re talking… And I didn’t expect it to be ok to speak so casually.

“Ryu, huh… That’s an unusual name. Ryu, from now on you’re mine and only mine. I won’t accept objections.”

…What???

The other wolves got loud after the wolf told them something, but they were quieted by the wolf. What, what’s gonna happen after this?

“Um, what do you mean by ‘mine’?”

“Exactly as it means. From now on you’re gonna be my pet and I’m going to take you home.”

WHAT?! What’s this sudden turn of events?! Taking me back as a pet?!

“Let’s get going now.”

Saying that, it transformed from the size of a big dog to about 10 meters, and picked me up with its mouth.

“Wa, wait! Where are we going?! And at least let me pack my belongings!”

“Luggage will just get in the way so you don’t need it. And you’ll find out where we’re going soon enough.”

With that, it started running with me still in its mouth.

…Seriously, what’s gonna happen to me…